Goal galore as Brazil through to quarters

Venezuela draw 3-3 with Paraguay at Copa America.

BUENOS AIRES:

After two cagey rounds of games at the Copa America, save for Argentina’s swatting of Costa Rica, the championship burst into life as Brazil hit four goals against Ecuador to reach the quarter-finals.

While the samba stars were finally getting their act together with a 4-2 win thanks to doubles from Neymar and Pato, their Group B rivals Venezuela, not to be outdone, served up even more of a thriller in sharing six goals with Paraguay.

In the shakeout of those two results reigning champions Brazil won the group by the scruff of their necks, by a goal-difference of plus two to plus one for the Venezuelans, who came back from two goals down against the Paraguayans to score twice in stoppage time and preserve their unbeaten record.

The Brazilians, who were in ominous attacking mode from the start, will now face the Paraguayans, who go through as one of the two best third-placed finishers.

Venezuela will take on Chile, hosts Argentina meet Uruguay in a battle at Santa Fe between two sides with 14 crowns apiece – to eight for Brazil – while 2001 champions Colombia joust with Peru at Cordoba.

“That was the game we wanted to play. We wanted to win and to take the top spot,” said AC Milan striker Pato who also scored the opening goal. “When we lose we all lose and when we win we all win together. The whole team played really well — it’s a great result.”





Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2011.